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On the eve of their transition into a Grass Valley practice, a spokesman for the prestigious Regional Cardiology Associates of Sacramento (RCA) said the group is enthused about serving Grass Valley and continuing to build relationships with the patients of Dr. John Mallery, who is leaving to accept a position in Indiana.

Dr. Michael Chang, a managing partner in RCA and medical director of the Mercy Heart & Vascular Institute in Sacramento, noted that Dr. Mallery has been referring patients to their practice for several decades.

“His practice is very important to our practice,” he said. “We’re sorry to see him leave, but we’re pleased to be partnering with Sierra Nevada Memorial Hospital and very excited to be bringing our group’s diversity and breadth of cardiac care to serve the community.”

Dr. Mallery remains confident of a seamless transition next week, when he hands his long-time Grass Valley cardiology practice over to the group.

“I’ve been working with these people for the last 24 years,” he said. “They’re among the best group of cardiologists in the country. This transition will bring skills to this community that haven’t ever been available here.”

“RCA is optimistic about this opportunity to expand a successful practice into our community, and looking forward to growth and success here,” he added.

“The RCA and Mercy Heart & Vascular Institute have served the Grass Valley community for many years,” she said. “Multitudes of patients have received treatment at Mercy over the course of many years for advanced cardiac conditions, such as cardiac surgery, angioplasty, stents, acute heart attack, heart failure, and pacemaker/defibrillator procedures. The transition of Dr. Mallery’s practice to RCA strengthens an already firmly established relationship and ensures that patients in the community will continue to have access to the most advanced treatments and the highest quality of care in California through the Mercy Heart & Vascular Institute.”

Mercy and the Institute have amassed an extensive record of recognition for cardiac care and other services. Most recently, Mercy General was selected as one of the top 50 cardiovascular hospitals in the nation by Truven Health Analytics. HealthGrades has ranked Mercy General as No. 1 in California for the past three years, and among the top 5 percent of hospitals nationally, and has granted it cardiac surgery excellence awards for three years in a row.

Mercy has also been recognized for its low mortality rates from coronary bypass procedures (0.20 percent compared with the state average of 2.00 percent), and leads the West Coast in performing complex valve procedures. It is also a Blue Cross Distinction Center for cardiac care for demonstrating best practices in quality for cardiac surgery, intervention, electrophysiology, and medical care.

“We set the standards for cardiac care in the Sacramento region,” Dr. Chang said.

Dr. Chang said the group is actively recruiting a physician who will run the Grass Valley practice full time. Meanwhile, he said the group would be rotating various specialists to cover the practice on a daily basis.

“Many patients may even recognize an RCA physician from their prior care at Mercy General Hospital,” Frazier noted. “While Dr. Mallery will be greatly missed, his patients will not perceive any real change in the quality or access to care, either locally or at the Mercy Heart & Vascular Institute in Sacramento.”

Patients and others visiting the new Alex G. Spanos Heart & Vascular Center, which will house cardiovascular services on the Mercy campus when it opens later this year, will also see Dr. Mallery’s photographs among other art works in patient care areas, Frazier noted.

“He is an avid photographer who does beautiful, professional work, and we are including some of his photo art in our new center,” she said. “He will always be a part of Mercy, no matter where he goes.”

Frazier said patients needing routine care or emergency care would continue to be cared for at SNMH.

Patients who already have appointments should just keep them, Dr. Mallery said, pointing out that his local staff will remain intact, including Robin Petersen, his nurse practitioner for the past 22 years.

“We’re sad that we’re leaving, but it’s time for change,” Dr. Mallery said of himself and his wife Robin, a registered nurse who for many years developed and managed the cardiac rehabilitation program at SNMH. “We’re making this big leap and hoping it works out.”

The couple is moving to Evansville, Ind., where Dr. Mallery has accepted a position with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.